FORTY years after opening its gates for the first time, Knowsley Safari Park remains one of the North West’s most popular attractions giving visitors the chance to get ‘up close and personal’ with around 700 exotic animals from all over the globe.

FORTY years after opening its gates for the first time, Knowsley Safari Park remains one of the North West’s most popular attractions giving visitors the chance to get ‘up close and personal’ with around 700 exotic animals from all over the globe.

The good news for drivers concerned about their vehicles is that these days they can choose to view these mischievous inhabitants of the monkey jungle from the safety of the car and coach-friendly route.

Highlights at Knowsley this year alone have included three white rhino calves – Troy, Rosie and Bugo – and the park’s biggest-ever pride of lions, including five young cubs.

Visitors can go around the safari drive as many times as they like during the day, and each time the experience will be different.

ŠBut there’s lots of other things to do while at the park other than the safari drive. Other attractions include the safari village with its woodland walk, miniature railway and walkaround animal area where elephants, giraffes, meerkats and otters can be viewed at close quarters.

A major feature in this area is the park’s revamped sealion facility, with a larger outdoor pool and underwater viewing facilities, which enable visitors to watch the sealions’ antics throughout the day, not just at show times.

Meanwhile, Knowsley’s Bug House offers everything from snakes and lizards to spiders and cockroaches, while there are goats, lambs, cattle and horses for the children to pet and enjoy at Lake Farm.

Knowsley is also home to Aerial Extreme – the North West’s largest adventure ropes course – and an amusement park with a wide selection of rides for the family. (Additional costs apply for the ropes course and rides).

Safari Park general manager, David Ross, explained: “Because of all our new animals and developments over the years there’s a huge amount to see and do at the park, which is why we’re one of the North West’s few genuine all-day attractions.

“As a result, we offer excellent value for money which is why I am confident that we will continue to attract large numbers of visitors, old and new, during the course of our fortieth anniversary year.”

ŠThe park is open daily throughout the summer and weekends during the winter.

ŠTickets cost £15 for adults and £11 for children and OAPs and include a free full-colour guidebook and audio guide for each vehicle.

For more details about Knowsley Safari Park ring the 24-hour information line on 0151-430 9009 or log on to www.knowsleysafariexperience.co.uk